Published 5:30 am, Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The 28-year-old lefthander signed with the Reds for a shot at their starting rotation. But after a rough spring as a starter, Affeldt is looking at a role similar to last year with the NL champion Rockies — late-inning lefty in relief.

To win a starter's job, he needed to add a changeup, build stamina and relearn pitching from a windup. After four games and 11 2/3 innings, the Reds decided Affeldt is suited for the bullpen.

OF Scott Podsednik finally feels like he has his wheels back after a slew of injuries slowed him the past two years with the White Sox.

"I'm feeling great," said Podsednik, who agreed to a minor league deal with the Rockies in early February. "I feel like I've got it back."

Podsednik's game hinges on his speed. Without his quickness, he's just a light-hitting outfielder.

Since helping the White Sox to a world championship in 2005, Podsednik has been hampered by two sports hernias and a strained left rib cage muscle. He played in only 62 games last season for the White Sox, batting .243 with just 12 steals and 30 runs.

Success came quickly for Scott Olsen. He was a sixth-round draft choice at age 18, a major leaguer at 21 and a 12-game winner for the Marlins at 22.

Failure came fast, too. Last year, when Olsen turned 23, he was perhaps the worst starting pitcher in the NL with a 5.81 ERA and 10-15 record.

He also deserved an F grade in comportment. He was arrested on a DUI charge, drew a fine for making an obscene gesture toward fans, and served a two-game suspension following a confrontation with a teammate.

But 6-5 lefthanders with a 94 mph fastball are tough to find, and the Marlins are giving Olsen another chance. Shoulder tendinitis has kept him out of spring training games the past two weeks, but he's scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Cardinals, and the Marlins hope he can blossom into the staff ace this season.